Saturday, July 1, 2017

Outreach Highlights: Explorability


Learn More About Explorability - Hands4Hope's Newest Outreach Opportunity!

Explorability is a special program at the Sacramento Children's Museum in Rancho Cordova for children with special needs and their family and friends. This event occurs on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month from 10-11pm. Volunteers will help lead various stations, help set and reset exhibits, and interact with the children! High School students are welcome to help with this outreach.


If you are interested in working with children with special needs, meeting new people, or just having a fun weekend experience, this is a great outreach for you! As a new event to Hands4Hope, we are always looking for more volunteers to participate in the event. We would love your help in growing the program as an outreach opportunity! For more information, please contact Yoko Kono at yoko@hands4hopeyouth.org.

2017 Ryan Christopher Hersh Scholarships Awarded to Six Deserving Youth


NEVER SELFISH, ALWAYS LOVING AND KIND;
THESE ARE MEMORIES YOU LEAVE BEHIND.

The Ryan Christopher Hersh Memorial Scholarship Fund is a fund that has been initiated by the grandparents of Ryan Christopher Hersh in memory of their grandson Ryan, who passed away at the age of 18. Ryan was an active participant in Hands4Hope for many years, assisting with food collection and distribution, homeless outreaches, and mentoring children at a local food and clothing distribution site. Ryan was a kind and gentle young man who served with love, respect, and an open heart.

In honor Ryan and his love of serving, his grandparents Nancy and Darwin Myers and Sharon and Dick Tietgens created this fund so that others may explore needs in their community and have the opportunity to take action in their own way, as Ryan did through Hands4Hope. “It means a great deal to all of us that Ryan's legacy continues. He cared deeply for Hands4Hope and its mission in our community.  He had such a profound impact on our lives, we are grateful to see that he can continue to positively impact the lives of others,” described the Hersh family.

The fund is designed to benefit youth in grades K-12 with financial hardships. A portion of the fund is specifically designated for scholarships for youth wanting to participate and serve in Hands4Hope’s outreach programs by paying the cost of registration. In addition, funds are available to be used for other summer camp scholarships that allow young people to be able to explore their own strengths, whether it be sports, art, music, leadership, or something else, through local summer camps. Recipients of the scholarships are chosen through an application process by the Ryan Christopher Hersh Scholarship Committee. .

“We truly hope that all the recipients cherish their camp experiences.  Most importantly, we hope they have the opportunity to enrich their lives and grow from the experiences they all have,” the Hersh’s furthered.

Emma Burrows, the Ryan Christopher Hersh Scholarship Committee Chair, explained this year’s successes with the Ryan Christopher Hersh Scholarship. “The Committee set a budget of $2,000 to $2,500 that we felt comfortable taking from the account.  With these funds, we were able to assist 6 youth in attending camps of their choosing. Their ages ranged from 6 to 14 with a variety of camps including a 4-H camp, dance camp, two selective football camps, and two all-summer day camps for children in a transition home.”

“The committee was very impacted to hear the stories of these applicants’ hardships as well as determination to enrich their lives.  It was truly an honor to be able to work on this committee in Ryan’s memory these past two years,” concluded Burrows.


Hands4Hope is proud to be the facilitator of this scholarship program. Please visit our website for additional information at http://www.hands4hopeyouth.org/hands4hope-ryan-christopher-hersh-memorial-scholarship-fund.html.